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~Chapter 35~
Lily couldn’t understand why Blake was kneeling.
She looked at the outside of the locket necklace with blank eyes and whispered,
“Why? Why are you doing all this for me?”
“Open the necklace,” Blake said.
“Tell me first,” she replied.
Lily really wanted to know. Her heart was confused. Did she truly hate Blake?
The first time she met Blake, he seemed cold, but he also had a kind heart. If not, she wouldn’t have hugged him on that stormy night.
“What does it mean to me that you’re kneeling?”
It was almost the first time Lily had ever gotten angry in her life. Not because she was kind, but because her life had never let her argue back.
So what was it about Blake that let her laugh and even get angry so freely?
Lily was afraid of love, even hated it, and didn’t want to let anyone into her heart.
“…It must be nice, never having to kneel for anyone. But I’ve had to kneel countless times.”
Neither of them took this as sarcasm. She was just calmly telling the truth.
“When I was little, even if I dropped a spoon, I had to beg my father. And when I grew up? I always had to ask for forgiveness, even when I did nothing wrong.”
“That’s true. You probably never had the chance to rebel, like I did. I know, at least a little,” Blake said.
“How would you know? You didn’t even know I was a shaman. You lived in a place where you didn’t have to worry about anything.”
“I do know. I really know you’ve had a hard time.”
“Do you have to answer everything like that, even here?” Lily pressed her forehead, as if she had a headache.
“I’ll accept your apology. I guess I wasn’t nice either. But I’d like to end things here. The real problem isn’t solved. I still have no reason to trust you.”
Blake slowly stepped closer to Lily. In her big eyes, Blake’s figure grew, but she wasn’t afraid. He was being careful.
“I’m sure I understand your fear, at least a little. Now, I remember.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw it myself. I saw you being hit.”
Blake opened the locket and showed her the picture inside.
The faded picture was something Lily had never seen. It was drawn when she was so young that she couldn’t remember it.
“Because we’ve been friends since a very long time ago.”
Blake’s voice was wet and sad, even though his face looked dry. Outside the window was darkness, but it felt like rain was pouring down.
It was a voice that touched Lily’s heart.
She tried to understand, but none of his words connected in her mind.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember at all. So, were we…?”
“We were pretty close when we were kids.”
“But how close? How much?”
“It’d take too long to tell everything. And I don’t remember it all, either.”
Finally, Blake took off his coat and put it around Lily’s shoulders.
“It’s not because of love. There are other reasons why I want to help you. First, like I said, because of this necklace.”
Blake held up one finger.
“You reached out your hand to me and spoke kindly when I was all alone. So, as thanks, I want to protect you.”
He held up a second finger.
“Also, I have to get revenge on your parents. Our ending was bad, all because of them.”
“Oh… I see…”
Lily quickly figured out the situation.
“I’m sure my parents said terrible things to you, right? I know what it’s like to be torn down, even your worth as a person.”
Blake continued, “And for a third reason… Well, to round out the list, let’s just say it’s because I like you. Like I said before, I have some feelings for you.”
This time, he spoke calmly, but the tips of his ears turned a little red.
“Don’t worry too much about the third reason. Even if I spend my money and power, I won’t ask you for anything in return.”
Lily noticed the change in Blake and, for the first time in days, felt a little better.
How can such a big, scary man get shy just from saying he likes someone? If others knew I thought he was cute, they’d be shocked…
“So, once again, I want to ask you. I want to make a guardianship contract with you. I’ll protect you and support everything you need until you can stand on your own.”
“So what do I have to do?”
“You’ll give me a chance to repay your kindness and get my revenge.”
Blake took out a folded paper and showed it to her under the moonlight.
Lily looked at the neatly written contract.
Her blue eyes wavered, then turned sad and lowered, then focused sharply as she read it. In the end, she let out a small laugh.
She couldn’t help it.
“Wait a second, you’re saying if you break the contract, you’ll give me the northern blue diamond mine?”
If it was a joke, it was a good one. Lily began to feel more like herself.
“That’s enough money to start a bank. It’s a big reason the capital nobles bow their heads to me, even if they hate me.”
“That’s a crazy condition. You know better than anyone how much that’s worth.”
“It’s the only thing I have that’s enough for you to be safe, even if I break my promise and leave you alone.”
Lily thought he was only offering the contract for appearances. She didn’t really think it would happen.
So, nothing had changed—she was still afraid Blake might abandon her, still worried she’d be swayed by his words.
But what started to change her mind was the picture inside the locket.
Lily thought,
The me inside this locket is smiling…
Even if she didn’t remember her childhood, she knew herself. She had never been happier than the girl in the picture.
So she decided she had to believe. If she couldn’t trust herself, who could she trust?
“To be honest, I still don’t get it. Are you really helping me just for revenge? I’m just causing trouble for you, aren’t I?”
“But—”
“But if you’re really okay with it, then fine. I’ll agree. Thank you.”
Lily thought Blake would be happy, but he wasn’t.
Instead, he looked at her fiercely, like something serious just happened.
“…Did something happen?” she asked, looking behind her.
“I just can’t believe it. Honestly, it was half a gamble. It was scarier than going into a canyon where enemies might be waiting.”
“I feel the same. I can’t believe what I just said. Normally, I’d never agree. Not that there’s anything wrong with you,” she said.
“I get it. You’re still anxious,” Blake said, confident he’d never break his promise.
“So let’s finish this now. We need a contract witness, a lawyer, and a notary. If you don’t want to go out, I’ll call them here—”
“What?”
“Contracts are supposed to be signed right away. Nobles think being slow is elegant, but I’m strict when it comes to money. But if you need sleep, we can do it in the morning—”
“You really meant to do this contract?”
“…Isn’t that normal?”
Suddenly, neither of them knew what to say. All they could do was mumble, “Huh?” “What?”
Blake raised his voice.
“What do you think I am? I’m not like those nobles in the capital who don’t keep their word. Of course I’ll make the contract.”
“Then what about me? How can I sign a contract that gives me a diamond mine? There’s an old saying that people go crazy when they get too much money. Maybe it’s true.”
“Did you just call me crazy?”
“I was just quoting a saying! Sorry, princess, if that’s rude to hear.”
Lily shrugged her shoulders gracefully and then realized something.
When was the last time my mind felt so clear?
She still had many questions for him, but one thing was certain:
She wanted to thank him.
And this time, it wasn’t because anyone forced her to. It was because she truly wanted to say it.
